This weekend Paulie Malignaggi takes on his biggest challenge to date when he faces off against Ricky Hatton. Aware that many are talking up Hatton as the possible candidate for the winner of Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao, Malignaggi is using that as motivation to keep himself grounded and remain focused on defeating Hatton. By defeating Hatton, Malignaggi feels it will throw a monkey wrench into what he believes would be a Hatton vs. De La Hoya showdown.

Malignaggi feels De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao, set for December 6th, is a "Joke" and the outcome of the fight will favor De La Hoya. In a recent interview with Thomas Gerbasi of MaxBoxing, Malignaggi stated in regards to what is keeping him grounded: “What keeps me grounded is the fact that they keep talking about Ricky Hatton fighting the winner of (Manny) Pacquiao and (Oscar) De La Hoya.”

Malignaggi not known for mixing nice words, does not disappoint with his next statement, telling Gerbasi: “I think that fight’s (De La Hoya vs Paquiao) a joke, and the winner is gonna be De La Hoya. He's way too big for Manny. So at the end of the day, makes that fight an in-house promotion  Oscar De La Hoya vs Ricky Hatton is an all-Golden Boy (Promotions) show. Paulie Malignaggi beats Ricky Hatton, he throws a monkey wrench into the whole operation.”

You can catch Malignaggi vs Hatton this coming Saturday, November 22nd only on HBO. Or live in person at The MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV. The fight is for the Ring Magazine World Jr. Welterweight Championship.